Dr Dennis Gross DRx Blemish Solutions™ Clarifying Mask with Colloidal Sulfur
Works for
Anti-agingRetinol, Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceWorks well
“It features an array of powerful yet gentle active ingredients that calm redness, smooth the look of wrinkles, and deeply hydrate.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains retinol.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
Anti-blemishSulfur, Retinol + 5 moreWorks well
“An overnight acne medication that treats blackheads and pores while absorbing excess oil.”
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: retinol, sulfur. These ingredients is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
MoisturizingAllantoin, Carthamus tinctorius seed oil + 7 moreWorks
“It features an array of powerful yet gentle active ingredients that calm redness, smooth the look of wrinkles, and deeply hydrate.”
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from
within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
allantoin, glycerin.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: carthamus tinctorius seed oil, glycine soja oil.
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Retinol, Bisabolol + 5 moreWorks well
This product contains antioxidants (retinol) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
ExfoliationSide benefit · Retinol, Allantoin + 1 moreWorks well
This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: retinol.
Evens skin toneSide benefit · Retinol, Phenylethyl resorcinol + 1 moreWorks well
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: retinol.
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually can help even out the skin tone: glycyrrhiza glabra root extract, phenylethyl resorcinol.
Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy3 strong irritants: Farnesol, Retinol + 1 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Sulfur5%
Allantoin~23–35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
More about AllantoinAloe barbadensis leaf juice~6.1–9.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
More about Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceBentonite~4.6–6.8%
Bisabolol~3.2–4.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An active component of chamomile plant that historically has been used to calm down irritated skin. A recent study shows that bisabolol indeed can have some anti-inflammatory effect on skin, even though conclusive data is lacking. Bisabolol has a sweet floral scent and can be added to products for its aromatic properties
More about BisabololButylene glycol~2.1–3.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolCarthamus tinctorius seed oil~1.9–2.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin and might help calm down inflammation
More about Carthamus tinctorius seed oilCetearyl alcohol~1.5–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholEthylhexylglycerin~1.2–1.8%
Farnesol~0.9–1.35%
Glycerin~0.9–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinGlyceryl stearate~0.55–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearateGlycine soja oil~0.45–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A good emollient that helps soften the skin and helps repair its barrier function. It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.
More about Glycine soja oilGlycyrrhiza glabra root extract~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that can help lighten the skin and calm down inflammation. Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals
More about Glycyrrhiza glabra root extractKaolin~0.55–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of clay that consists mainly of aluminum silicate. Helps absorb oil and creates a thicker product consistency. Can be used to add a white color
More about KaolinOpuntia tuna flower/stem extract~0.35–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Peg-100 stearate~0.45–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearatePhenoxyethanol~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPhenylethyl resorcinol~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
Might help reduce hyperpigmentation in skin and help neutralize free radicals
More about Phenylethyl resorcinolRetinol~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
Two steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, retinol is proven to be effective against all signs of aging. It improves skin cell turnover, helps fight blemishes and clogged pores, can regulate excess oil production and even skin tone. It can, however, be quite irritating
More about RetinolRosmarinus officinalis leaf oil~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant oil with high content of volatile compounds that can irritate the skin. Can be used as a fragrance. Has anti-bacterial properties and might help neutralize free radicals on the surface of the skin
More about Rosmarinus officinalis leaf oilSalix alba bark extract~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. It contains a compound salicin that can theoretically be converted into salicylic acid that, in turn, helps reduce inflammation in skin, but the evidence of effectiveness in skin is lacking and the extract is usually not used in a concentration that would enable an exfoliating effect
More about Salix alba bark extractSodium pca~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Naturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer
More about Sodium pcaTocopheryl acetate~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
More about Tocopheryl acetateWater~0.05–0.2%
Zinc oxide~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A broad spectrum sunblock (protects from both UVA and UVB rays). Is suitable for most sensitive skins. In small concentrations, can be used as a colorant
More about Zinc oxideIngredient list view
Sulfur, Allantoin, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Bentonite, Bisabolol, Butylene glycol, Carthamus tinctorius seed oil, Cetearyl alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Farnesol, Glycerin, Glyceryl stearate, Glycine soja oil, Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract, Kaolin, Opuntia tuna flower/stem extract, Peg-100 stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Phenylethyl resorcinol, Retinol, Rosmarinus officinalis leaf oil, Salix alba bark extract, Sodium pca, Tocopheryl acetate, Water, Zinc oxide
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| Dr Dennis GrossDRx Blemish Solutions™ Clarifying Mask with Colloidal SulfurYOUR PRODUCT | Jan MariniRetinol Plus Face Mask | OEDOGold Blackhead Face Mask | Danne Montague-KingDMK Hydrating Masque | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 77% | 72% | 70% |
| Price | — | — | — | $42.78 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 10 | 2 of 10 | 3 of 10 |
| Key difference | — | Salicylic Acid | Hamamelis Virginiana Extract | Panthenol |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | Contains drying alcohol |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Truly Vegan Collagen Anti-Aging Jelly Face MaskThe Crème Shop x Sanrio The Crème Shop x Hello Kitty Brillian-C Boost Printed Essence Sheet Mask
Product summary
"Dr Dennis Gross - DRx Blemish Solutions™ Clarifying Mask with Colloidal Sulfur" is effective for: Anti-inflammatory, Anti-blemish, Evens skin tone, Anti-aging and Exfoliation
This product could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- this product contains an effective form of Retinoids (vitamin A): retinol 0.25% - 0.50%. Retinoids are potent multitasking actives. They work to improve and prevent early signs of aging, reduce hyperpigmentation (age spots and post-acne marks), and prevent inflamed blemishes and clogged pores. The downside of Retinoids is that they can be irritating. If you are not already using a Retinoid in your routine, it is best to start slowly and apply the Retinoid product only a few times per week. If your skin tolerates it well, you can gradually increase the frequency to daily.
- Humectants (sodium pca 0.20% - 0.35% and glycerin 2.90% - 3.50%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Dr Dennis Gross" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.
Price
The product retails for 28.00$ in the United States, for 39.00£ in the United Kingdom and for 36.00CA$ in Canada.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 19 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5Improvement of naturally aged skin with vitamin A (retinol)ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.